Travel trailers are a fantastic upgrade when it comes to camping. For those looking to go a step up from tent camping or a pop-up camper, then a used travel trailer is a great option. This way you can save some money and get the best bang for your buck. Before you make a purchase decision, you’ll want to ask a few key questions first.
Here are 10 questions to ask when buying a used travel trailer:
1. How much does the trailer weigh?
Trailer weight is easily one of the most overlooked things when people are looking to purchase a used or new travel trailer. No matter where you go people will always be telling you that your vehicle can take a larger trailer than it can safely tow. Instead, you want to leave some extra margin in order to prevent any damage to your engine.
An average travel trailer can weigh anywhere from 2300 to 8800 pounds. You can expect to tow this with a truck, SUV, cargo van, or in some cases even a minivan. However, only a few lightweight travel trailers can be towed by a minivan.
As a general rule of thumb, you should always go with the 80/20 principle leave about an extra 20% of wiggle room for towing your travel trailer. If you want to be extra conservative you could even bump this to 70/30 split. This way, you can rest easy knowing that your vehicle can easily handle the weight of your camper–along with anything else on your camping trip packing list.
2. How many people does it sleep?
New or used, choosing the right travel trailer that can comfortably sleep all the people you plan to take with you on your adventures is absolutely crucial. Whether you’re just a young couple or a family you’ll be sure to find the travel trailer that suits your personal needs. When you’re looking at different sleeping solutions, that can range from dinette beds, stationary beds, bunk beds, Murphy Beds, or anything else in between.
Do you need to fold the table down in order to fit people? At the end of the day what type of bed you prefer comes down to personal preference, as each different type of RV bed has its own list of pros and cons.
3. Where can you cook in the camper?
Inside or outside, wherever you plan to cook in your camper is another important consideration. Some different travel trailers come with a full-size kitchen on the interior and maybe even a small outdoor kitchen so you can do some grilling. Keeping your cooking mess in check is another crucial detail not to overlook.
4. What safety features does it have?
Similar to a traditional home, your home on wheels also should also have some key features to keep you safe. You’ll want to check for:
- RV propane alarm
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Trailer brake controller (when over 3,000 lbs, varies by state, according to AAA)
5. Where was it stored?
One of the most important questions when looking to buy a used travel trailer is where it was stored. When you’re looking at storage, you’re going to want to make sure that it was not stored in harsh conditions where there was a lot of weathering. Large trees can drop lots of pollen and cause additional damage over time.
The best place for a travel trailer to be stored is of course in a garage. A garage-kept trailer is going to be safe from all the weathering and any other kind of potential damage and harm to the exterior siding.
The next best method of protection is if it was kept under an RV cover:
6. Is it smoke and pet-free?
Smells from previous owners tend to last a long time in a travel trailer and can be very difficult to eliminate. This is one area where you’ll probably be able to easily tell the moment you set foot inside the travel trailer.
However, if the previous owner has managed to mask that sent, this is something you’re going to want to ask them especially if you have any pet allergies. If there’s only a slight smell, you can use a pet odor and stain remover.
7. What’s the title history?
Checking the title history can give you an idea of how many previous owners there were. For a trailer between the five and ten-year-old mark, you could expect to see about one to two different owners. The older you go the more previous owners you can expect to see.
An extremely long list of previous owners on the title could be a red flag but it also might not be if it is an older travel trailer. It’s up to you to use your best judgment when deciding on your purchase.
The title history and RV Vin lookup will also give you an idea of any accidents reported, recalls and defects, theft, or any other types of damage.
8. What size are the gray and black water tanks?
The size of your gray and black water tanks in a travel trailer is something you’re going to want to consider. Generally, the larger the tanks, the longer you can stay off-grid or the fewer trips you’ll need to make to the dump station.
If you’re limited on tank size based on what you can tow, you can also get a portable waste tank so you can make dump trips without needing to move the trailer:
9. How many miles has it been driven?
This one is a bit tricky when it comes to travel trailers. There are no odometers telling you the exact amount of mileage that it has been driven. Instead, you’re going to have to rely on the previous owners and rough estimations of where it’s been driven and how many miles you can expect of wear and tear.
For the average camper, most people just drive it to and from a campground which shouldn’t put too many miles on it. However, it is good to ask if it had been taken cross-country or for any long extended trips.
10. Why is it being sold?
Do they want to upgrade? Do they need to downsize? Do they camp less than it’s worth it to keep it? If you’re buying your used travel trailer from a ‘for sale by an owner’ then this question is important. You don’t want to be buying someone else’s problem.
Make sure there’s some sort of valid reason they’d want to sell their trailer. Otherwise, that could be a red flag that something is wrong with it. If you’re planning on buying from a dealership, then this isn’t really of concern.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s important to consider the history of a used travel trailer and what you’re getting yourself into. Most average campers have experienced light use to the campgrounds and then back to the house or storage facility.
It may take more time to look for the exact features you want in a used model. However, buying a used travel trailer will be able to get you a much better deal than buying something brand new. It’s up to you to make the decision for what’s best for you or your family.